| Executive Summary: | Shortly after take off, at a height of about 250 feet agl, the aircraft suffered multiple bird strikes as the landing gear was being retracted. The flight crew heard a 'thump' and observed a slight temporary reduction in the No 2 (right) engine pressure ratio (EPR) from 1.97 to 1.8; a burning smell was also noted in the cabin. A full emergency was declared and a visual circuit was flown at 1,500 feet agl with the take off flap 5 setting maintained. The Airport Fire Service was alerted and a normal (2 engined) landing was carried out on Runway 23 without further incident. After landing and returning to the ramp, an inspection revealed evidence of several birdstrikes, with bloodstains on the No 2 engine inlet 'bullet' fairing and on the inboard lip of this intake, in addition to bloodstains on the left main landing gear and the Kruger flap at the inboard end of the left wing leading edge.
A close inspection of the airframe did not reveal any significant damage. A visual inspection of the No 2 engine, including borescope examination of the compressor, revealed no damage. After removal of the bird debris, which was thought to be from wood pigeons, a 'full and free' check of the flying controls and full power engine ground runs were performed satisfactorily and the aircraft was subsequently returned to service. |
